Head canon: Engineer owns prescriptive goggles to hide his need for nerd glasses. And this scene is why there exists the head canon of Sniper requires prescription glasses.
[images are 6 drawings formatted to look like simple greeting cards with pink backgrounds. they depict the following: 1. wei wuxian leaning against a cheerful donkey with a grin, captioned “you’re the apple of my eye!” / 2. lan xichen solemnly playing his xiao, captioned “*flute solo*” / 3. jiang cheng looking a flustered and a little shy, captioned “what i’m looking for…” and then several of his canonical requirements for a wife listed and hastily scribbled out in red, with only the word “you” left at the bottom, circled several times. / 4. a comically brutal drawing of a teary meng yao collapsed at the bottom of some stairs, captioned “i’m falling for you.” / 5. a-yuan planted up to his armpits in the soil and looking pleased about it, captioned “my love for you is growing strong!” / 6. wei wuxian perched on a windowsill, brandishing his flute and leaning over to nuzzle lan wangji, who is seated before his zither. they both look overwhelmingly happy and content. the caption reads, “we’re my favourite song.”]
Wei Wuxian starts off asking Lan Wangji to let him help, citing, not for the first time, “all we’ve been through together” as a reason they should share their troubles. Later, all they go through apart will make it even harder for them to share their troubles.
Using paperman, Wei Wuxian asks Wen Qing for help, and she calls for a rest stop. Lan Wangji sits down and Wei Wuxian goes to get him some water.
Wei Wuxian stupidly bows to Wen Qing to thank her, causing her to contemplate what a terrible spy he would be. She avoids talking to him while he looks at her with deep friend-yearning, in a moment of blatant het baiting.
Overly-dramatic backache guy is my hero. His back and shoulders are trashed after a stroll on a smooth path. Same, backache guy, same.
Jiang Cheng comes along to tell Wei Wuxian not to pay attention to Wen Qing.
Also, don’t pay attention to Lan Wangji. Do you sense the theme here, bro?
La Mode illustrée, no. 21, 27 mai 1894, Paris. Toilette de mariée. Toilette de cortège de mariage. Modèles de chez Mmmes Coussinet-Piret, rue Richer, 43. Ville de Paris / Bibliothèque Forney
Le Petit écho de la mode, no. 21, vol. X, 27 mai 1888, Paris. Vètement en surah gris froncé aux épaules. Toilette en soie pékinée et faille unie. Modèles exclusifs du Comptoir Parisien, 84, rue de Bac. Ville de Paris / Bibliothèque Forney
La Mode illustrée, no. 21, 25 mai 1873, Paris. Toilettes de Mme Fladry. 43, r. Richer. Robes de Chambre de Mme Cassin. r. du Bac. 46. Ville de Paris / Bibliothèque Forney
Le Petit écho de la mode, no. 21 vol. XLI, 25 Mai 1919, Paris. La leçon de diction. Ville de Paris / Bibliothèque Forney
Robe de jeune fille en petite soie de deux tons. Corsage plat monté à 1 ancienne sur une jupe roncee sous une petite ceinture plate. Bande de taffetas à la jupe et aux Poignets, Encolure en taffetas.
Robe en serge, forme chemise kimono, serrée à la taille par une ceinture nouée. Bas de jupe montée à tête froncée. Col et poignets en satin blanc.
Toilette en satin ornée d’effilés de soie. Corsage kimono fermé derrière à manches courtes et larges. Large ceinture drapée nouée derrière.
I had opportunity to go to see Derek as Christian and Ashley Loren as Satine on Saturday night. As the audience was settling their velvet seats, all around the stage - we see elegant of tying into the French culture and the rich and vibrant colors of red and blue, not only that they had big pieces on each side such as the elephant and the iconic windmill. Across the stage, the outlines of the letters of “Moulin Rouge” is being displayed so brightly. Before the show starts, we see the ensembles walking around the stage in their respective costumes; men wearing suit/skirts with black top hat and women in their corsets, long skirts that had bustle and stockings. They were interacting with several audience members, it’s like we are inside of their club. Then the lights dim into this blue hue and from stage right, we see Derek as Christian strolling along the walkway in between the can-can seating area and the orchestra seats, on his face - we see this expression of wonder and nostalgic of him coming back to ‘Moulin Rouge’. As he reaches to stage left, he turns slightly to the audience and on the beat; he raises his arms up in sort of motion to raise the “Moulin Rouge” lights up to begin the show.
From there, we were greeted with several ensembles with an iconic medley of “Lady Marmalade” (remember that MTV music video with Pink, Christina Aguilera, Mya and Lil’ Kim back in the early 2000s??) and “So Fresh, So Clean/ Money (That’s What I Want)/Let’s Dance/Burning Down The House/Because We Can”). It was raunchy, sexy, playful, fun. It truly felt like we as audience were brought back much more into 1890s era and being in the women’s entertainment club.
Then we see how Christian becomes involved with working at 'Moulin Rouge’, he meets two men Toulouse and Santiago (who needed help with its writing and songs for the play). There were really cute moments of Christian impressing them by his musical and songwriting talents by singing various songs from “Hills are Alive With The Sound of Music” by Rodgers and Hammerstein, “I Don’t Want To Wait” by Paula Cole, “Every Breath You Take” by The Police, and “Never Gonna Give You Up” Rick Astley). From this sequence to where they go to Moulin Rouge; you see Toulouse, Santiago and the men bonding with Christian and taking him in with their wings. You see the fun and brotherly chemistry in between Derek, Sahr and Julius! They are loud, boastful, encouraging.
Ashley’s entrance to the stage was absolutely magical, and definitely an ode to the original movie where she descended from the ceiling, sitting on a swing. She was adorned in a black shiny/sparkly skirt, top hat and in several amounts of jewelry. She sings a medley of “Diamonds Are Forever’/'Girl’s Best Friend’/Single Ladies” . She completely wows the audience by her performance, especially having such a quick amount of time with costume changes onstage! Her voice is absolutely stunning and powerful. Throughout this particular scene, both the Duke and Christian are entranced by Satine.
The scene where Satine brings Christian forward, mistaking him as the Duke while Toulouse and Santiago distract Harold Zidler, (Shut Up And Dance/Raise Your Glass/I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)). I could definitely see that Derek and Ashley along with the cast are just having a blast on stage! Just letting go of the reins and being themselves!
When Ashley sings Katy Perry’s “Firework”, it comes off as a heartfelt ballad but it’s so powerful at the same time because she reflecting on her life and trials. She tries to stay strong for her fellow performers, but also knows she will struggle more with each day with her declining health with consumption or tuberculosis (coughing up blood from the lungs - which we do see through the show).
Derek and Ashley’s chemistry on stage was absolutely lovely to see! Derek brought the idea of Christian being so incredibly smitten with Satine, especially the very first glance he sees her arriving to the stage and had really cute moments of him trying to make her laugh and smile in a couple scenes. Ashley’s Satine was more endearing and protective towards Christian than the movie’s version with Nicole Kidman. “Your Song” was absolutely STUNNING. I have heard Derek sing this part of the song several times at his previous solo concerts. And seeing him sing this song on Broadway was heartwarming because he had some ties with this song with his personal life and career life as well.
When the Duke suddenly interrupts them; Christian and Satine claim they were practicing lines for a new show, “Bohemian Rhapsody”. With Zidler’s help, Christian, Satine, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Santiago pitch the show to the Duke (“So Exciting! (The Pitch Song)”), which is very similar to the original movie with a slight change with the lyrics but we wind up with a comedic moment at the end of the song!
When Satine and Duke got together after that scene, I just had the feeling that this relationship in between them isn’t going to end up well especially Christian is going to be added in the mix, and even falling hard for Satine within first glance which leads me to this scene where Toulouse and Christian talks about Satine and how they both feel about her. Sahr Ngaujah’s “Nature Boy” is absolutely gorgeous, which evidently describes the show perfectly and paralleling with Christian’s character. Toulouse’s recent history with her, he encourages Christian to fight for Satine.
That’s where the iconic “Elephant Medley” comes in, Christian sneaks back to Satine to convince her that they should be together despite the difference of classes/work as the “Sparkling Diamond” and the “writer”. Derek and Ashley’s chemistry becomes way, way more vibrant and undeniable in this scene. It makes us audience to root them on.
Beginning of Act Two - we see Christian coming back onto the stage, walking down the pathway in between the can-can seats and the orchestra seats. He narrates what happened in the past two months since Christian and Satine got together.
Throughout the “rehearsal process” of the show 'Bohemian Rhapsody’ we see moments of Satine and Christian’s relationship evolving more than we see in the first act. We definitely see several highs and lows moments of being in Moulin Rouge. Especially Satine struggling to keep her secret about her illness from anyone she knows, the Duke’s infatuation with her and keeping 'Moulin Rouge’ cabaret club thriving.
I really loved the scene of “Come What May”! Oh my goodness, the scene transition from Christian’s apartment to the dreamy atmosphere of Paris/Moulin Rouge was just stunningly gorgeous and how it really paid an another nod to the original film with so many sparkles coming down from the ceiling, Christian holding the pink umbrella and waltzing with Satine. (And I wonder if the mini eiffel tower prop set piece came from 'Anastasia’ when they were doing out of town run before coming to Broadway?) I couldn’t believe how magical this scene was! Not only this scene, but almost every scene in the show, there was a set change, like there were multiple facades coming in and out from each side of the stage, several beautifully painted backdrops coming down from top or pulled up to the ceiling. It was like I was going through such an amazing pop-up book.
Jessica Lee Goldyn is absolutely incredible as Nini! Wow! She’s so fierce! She shares her fiery moment with Santiago (“Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga) as they fall in love as well. I love how she is protective of Satine and warns her about the Duke.
**I want to note on here that they had several replacements; like Julius Anthony Rubio as Santiago and Bobby Daye as Harold Zidler that were placed in at the last minute in the middle of the show due to illnesses such as laryngitis and covid related. I wouldn’t never known that swings and understudies joined in, because the show was running so smoothly!**
The Green Fairy scene (”Chandelier”) was so mystifying and interesting! Especially there were so many different lights (strobe lights and green spotlights - I loved how they did the light-up bottle!) to showcase the weird effects of drinking absinthe. Throughout the scene, there were more of ballet-sque movement across the stage from Christian and the ensembles as Christian hallucinates Satine as the Green Fairy. It was really cool to see more of that dance technique come out of Derek. He does it so incredibly beautifully and gracefully even though it was a weird scene.
Declan Bennett played the Duke. He was absolutely amazing! He definitely reminded me of Cal from 'Titanic’. He is a very possessive, ruthless, cunning, and dangerous man. He truly wants everything like in his specific way with money, clothing or just interjecting orders out of nowhere. Also, he acts like he owns Satine as a prized possession and wants to keep her in the high society with him (living in a lavish castle). Especially there was a “lovers” triangle moment in the show, where the Duke, Christian and Satine are in one room together. It was a very heartbreaking to see how this scene went.
When Derek sang “Roxanne”, my mind was literally blown and with no complete words could come out of my mouth, well I should say that my jaw was dropped to the floor - unable to be picked up until the following scene with Satine at her vanity which led me into tears. But seriously, Derek had shown how Christian felt. He was so angry, sad, and so desperate to fight for love towards Satine in all one facial movement throughout the song. It was so incredible that I wanted to give him a standing ovation or even throw all the awards at him right at the end of the song!
I absolutely loved the little moment in between Satine and Toulouse towards the end of the show, despite the difference of how their relationship went and the history in between them in the show but they remain close like a supportive brother and sister. Throughout the scene, the more conflicts with Satine’s health and strains of Christian and Satine’s relationship.
The final scene was slightly different from the film, they sing their song “Your Song” (Reprise) together (whereas in the film we see McGregor and Kidman sing “Come What May (Reprise) on stage together. But there’s this moment in between Christian and Satine that was so beautiful, haunting, heartbreaking. And I really loved how they staged this scene; the big light only on Christian and Satine on the floor and we see only the silhouettes of the ensembles behind them. Christian finished the show by singing "Come What May” (Reprise).
Then for the encore/curtain call, the show brings back this feeling of vibrancy. The ensembles came back out onstage, reprising their dances - entertaining the audience once more as if the club was back and thriving. Derek and Ashley returns to the stage again, the crowd becomes like a huge concert with its loud cheering and screaming as we rise to our feet to give them a standing ovation. They take their respective bows and the cast comes together to do the can-can dance. The ensemble men shoots the colorful confetti up the air from their cane, letting it snow on us audience. What a way to end the show! Wow!
For me to see Moulin Rouge for the first time, was absolutely amazing. It’s slightly different from the movie for sure. I loved the way the ensembles and each of the characters in the show; it’s like they swooped you with their arms and jumped into each page of the story from start to finish. Especially when Christian narrates in the beginning, the middle and the end of the show. It’s so incredibly breathtaking! I’m so incredibly that Derek had an opportunity to step in as Christian, right after Aaron Tveit left (he was the original principal of the show).
Around the announcement when he was going to be in the show, I saw few tweets like saying “Oh Derek will be Dmitry all over again with the red cravat and going back to Paris again”. I have to say no to this. Derek was absolutely NOTHING like Dmitry’s character. He brings the idea of Christian’s character more of a smitten, endearing, charming, and witty while being around with Satine whereas in 'Anastasia’, Dmitry was sort of butting heads with Anya upon meeting her then throughout the show, he lets his guard down a tiny bit and falls in love with her, (like friends to lovers for example). Derek really steps up to the next level of his acting, singing and dancing especially only being in the show for two weeks. I truly believe this is role is the one of the best and top roles that he has ever done than the previous roles that he has done in the past. His voice has grown so much more mature over the past two years and his dancing skills in the show are off the charts. I’m so glad that he gets to let out more of his dancing in the show than the previous shows in the past and we know how much he loves to dance off stage. He’s just so damn good! I cannot wait how much he will grow and evolve with the character of Christian as his run goes on! And his chemistry with Ashley.. *inserts chef’s kiss* They are truly superstars! To the rest of the cast, I can’t say enough words on how amazing they were especially holding up the show despite the challenging times of COVID. I completely urge everyone to go see Derek, Ashley and the cast in 'Moulin Rouge’! You will leave the show, wanting to see it more and more.
